IU Health awards $9.5M in grants statewide
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Indiana University Health is awarding $9.5 million in funding to support community organizations throughout the state. The health system said earlier this month the goal is to help meet “pressing social and health needs facing children and adults.”
The funding comes from IU Health’s Community Impact Investment Fund, which is administered by the IU Health Foundation.
The $200 million fund awards grants each year to address social and environmental factors that “heavily affect people’s health outcomes.” To date, more than $20 million in grants have been awarded.
“In response to growing needs in Indiana, IU Health doubled the size of its Community Impact Investment Fund in the past year. That has allowed us to significantly increase grants aimed at making Indiana a healthier place to live,” IU Health President and CEO Dennis Murphy said in a news release. “Improving health outcomes is vital to the state’s future, and we are hopeful targeted grant-giving and the commitment of our community partners will make a meaningful difference.”
This year’s recipients include:
Gleaners Food Bank/American Heart Association/Purdue University Center for Health Equity & Innovation: $1 million over three years to reduce health disparities related to cardiovascular disease by addressing food insecurity and nutrition in Marion County. Project activities include deploying health workers for outreach and support and opening food lockers at IU Health Methodist Hospital for use by pantry participants.
Center for Interfaith Cooperation/IU Health Congregational Care Network: $506,250 over three years to create health support networks in churches using Interfaith Enrichment Corp members and volunteers to work with congregations in Marion County serving racial and ethnic minority communities.
Peace Learning Center: $487,500 over three years to expand the Restorative Justice Initiative that offers peer mediation to help troubled youth avoid school suspensions and expulsions and develop the skills to avoid conflict. In use in select middle schools in Indianapolis, the program will expand into Marion County high schools.
Indianapolis Foundation Housing to Recovery: $400,000 over two years to expand the program creating supportive housing for homeless individuals with substance use challenges in Marion County.
Indianapolis Public Transportation Foundation: $384,594 over two years to help upgrade IndyGo bus stops on the east side of Indianapolis to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Aspire Higher Foundation: $350,000 over three years to develop an Urban Wellness Education Fellowship in the Aspire House on the northwest side of Indianapolis. These education student fellows will immerse themselves in the urban communities where their students live. Aspire House will also provide a wellness center, community education and food and wellness programs, a garden and space for sports and games.
Southern Indiana Community Health Care: $1.25 million over three years to build a Recovery Engagement Center in Orange County to treat addiction and substance use disorders. The project includes training for behavioral health workers.
Indiana Latino Institute: $1 million over three years to promote college enrollment among Latino youth in west central Indiana counties, including the use of internships and workforce development.
Fort Wayne Community Schools/Brightpoint Head Start/Early Childhood Alliance: $1 million over three years to open a Medicaid-subsidized early learning center to support pregnant women in high school and post-graduation. Training also will be offered to young mothers interested in working in childcare jobs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne: $1 million over three years to further develop the Jim Kelley Career Pathway Center to train teens and young adults to work in skilled trades.
Clinton County Economic Development Foundation: $750,000 over two years to launch the Clinton County Career Connect Center and Early Learning Childhood Development Center to serve a community with a large Hispanic population.
Urban Light Community Church: $654,000 over three years to develop a social services hub in Muncie with offices for health screenings and mental and behavioral health services, space for community meetings and services for those re-entering the community after incarceration. The area hub also will provide services to residents of a nearby six-bed home for men in recovery.
Ivy Tech Bloomington: $500,000 over three years to hire staff and offer certification courses for medical careers in phlebotomy, electrocardiograph technician, certified clinical medical assistant, certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician.
Wheeler Mission: $243,000 over three years to remodel the Wheeler Center for Men in Bloomington to provide space for job training, behavioral health services and medical and case management.